Do you have questions about your oral care habits? There’s no better time to ask than National Dental Hygiene Month! In the month leading up to Halloween, we at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park are particularly eager to teach our patients how to brush and floss properly so they won’t have to worry as much about tooth decay during the holiday season.
Patients should always use soft-bristled toothbrushes. They can get good results from proper use of manual or electric toothbrushes, but everyone with teeth needs to brush them twice a day. People using manual toothbrushes should brush for two minutes per session. All the varieties of toothpaste seen in stores can help fight decay, although people with sensitive teeth may want to avoid toothpaste with whitening agents and people with dentures should use specialized toothpaste. Brush every tooth surface, using circular strokes to thoroughly clean the outward-facing sides, and don’t forget the parts of the teeth nearest to the gum line.
Dentists recommend that patients clean debris from between their teeth, but only with things that were made for that purpose. When using floss, use a shoeshine motion to scrape plaque off of the sides of each tooth. Don’t just slide the floss down the gap. Also, be sure to get the backsides of the molars. You can prevent bad breath with daily use of mouthwash or a tongue scraper, but you should also be brushing your tongue.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.
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